Star of the US version of The Office Rainn Wilson has changed his name to raise awareness of climate change. The actor – best known for playing Assistant to the Regional Manager Dwight Schrute in the hit sitcom – posted a video on social media on Wednesday saying he has changed his name on his social media profiles to Rainnfall Heat Wave Extreme Winter Wilson.
Wilson, 56, made the change in association with Arctic climate science and awareness group Arctic Basecamp – on which he sits as a board member – as world leaders meet for the COP27 summit in Egypt. In the video posted to Twitter, Wilson says: “Our mission at Arctic Basecamp is to raise awareness of the global risks of Arctic weather change.
“It’s not just bad news for the Arctic, but for us, too. As the polar caps melt, it drives up risks throughout the world, including extreme weather events that affect all of us.
READ MORE: Heartbreaking letter reveals health visitor's plea over Awaab Ishak's mouldy home
“So, as a cheap little stunt to help save planet Earth, I’ve changed my name on Twitter, Instagram and even on my fancy writing paper.”
Wilson then holds up a piece personalised paper on which his name has been changed to Acid Rainn Kills Trees Wilson. “I am an Arctic risk name changer which is going to be a game changer,” he added.
Join me @ @ArcticBasecamp in bringing attention to the melting issue. We need world leaders to take action at COP 27!
The Arctic is melting at Millions of Liters per second, yet this problem can’t seem to make a name for itself, so we’ll make a name for it.
Go to link in bio ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/TgEG84fOmQ— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson)
He then urged his followers to follow his example “and create a name that will bring attention to this problem” by using Arctic Risk’s Name Generator at ArcticRiskName.org. He also offered some name change examples for other celebrities, including Cardi the Arctic B Melting and Amy Poehler Bears are Endangered.
Despite his efforts, Wilson was unable to change his name on Twitter following new boss Elon Musk’s changes to the site preventing name changes for verified users. Wilson Tweeted: “THEY WON’T LET ME CHANGE MY NAME BECAUSE, ELON!”
READ NEXT:
- Manchester Christmas Market stallholders defend BIG price hikes for sausages and booze at 2022 return
- Woman lured pal to house before her ex-boyfriend beat and robbed him at knifepoint
- Machete-wielding teen and his pal got into a brawl at JD Sports store packed with Christmas shoppers
- 'Inspirational' drummer 'made peace with death' before losing brain tumour battle aged 36
- Manchester trio unmasked as members of organised drugs gang - one stashed cocaine wraps up his bottom
